Paint mixer



Sept. 20, 1938.

F. M. GlDDlNGS PAINT MIXER Filed Dec. 6, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor 17M. f/dai/iys Attorneys km. 26 3%& F. M. GIDDINGS PAINT MIXER Filed Dec. 6, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor A iiorneys p 1938 F. M. GIDDINGS 2,130,542

PAINT MIXER Filed Dec. 6, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor By g am A iiorn eys sfipih 193% F. GI-DDINGS 9 395 PAINT MIXER 7 Filed Dec. 6, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ji s 5. 3. r"

F41. g/LZ i/h '6 I Byzmm- Attorneys Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAINT Mrxsa Fred M. Giddings, Galesburg, m. Application December 6,1937, Serial No, 178,374 I 3 Claims. (01. 259-107 I This invention relates to an improved paint mixer in the form of an attachment accessory particularly apt and practicable for use in conjunction with paintmarketing tins, jars and equivalent containers.

Briefly described, and considering the several embodiments in a generic sense, the preferred concept is characterizedby a rotary dasher or -agitator unit, this being suspended from and mounted for rotation on especially designed adapter and suspension means in such a Way as to permit the stirring result to be obtained with or without the stock lid or closure for the container.

One feature of the invention is predicated on the adoption and use of a practical rotary agitator unit, this including a vertically adjustable rotating and mounting shaft equipped with companion blades coacting in providing a sectional paddle, the latter feature being variable or adjustable in shape to accomplish the results most satisfactorily depending on the fluidity and viscous nature of the prepared product.

A further object is founded on that phase of the invention which provides selectively usable adapter fixtures, these being of distinguishable type rendering the same appropriate for attachment to containers of different capacities.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparentfrom the following de-- scription and accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are em- ,ployed to designate like parts throughout the views: g Figure 1 is an elevational iew showing a conventional paint can and illustrating the invention cooperable' therewith, said view being employed to illustrate to advantage one form or style of adapter mounting or fixture.

Figurej is a topplan view of Figure 1 with the complete assembly removed from the can.

Figure 3 is an end view observing Figure 2 in a direction from either left. to right or right to left.

5 Figure 4 is a detail elevational viewof one of the retention clips or clamps. Figure 5 is a detail view of the bearing. Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified type of mounting or adapterbracket. Figure '7 is a horizontal section on the line Figure-8 is a view calculated to show the variable adjustments of the blades coordinating to form the aforementioned agitatorpaddle.

Figure 9 is a view similar structural characteristics.

to Figures 1 and 6 in certain-respects in that it shows a further modification and illustrates howit is especiallyv adaptable for use on a spray-gun jar or equivalent glass container. v

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the'truss style adapter fixture disclosed in Figure 9.

A generalzperusal of the drawings will reveal a generic trend of thought in carrying-the different embodiments of the invention into efiect. In fact, it seems appropriate to call attention here to the rotary agitatorunit, since this is common throughout the views. This is true whether said unit is manually rotated or propelled by power means (not shown). Then too, in all forms" of the invention disclosed, as casual inspection will reveal, the adapter means for supporting the dasher or agitator unit is possessed of, common That is to sayyeach adapter device is in the nature of a hanger or suspension fixture or bracket, the same having means for attaching it to the can or container, and being provided with centralized guides to facilitate rotation and perpendicular adjustment of the shaft of the agitator unit.

Specifically the aforementioned agitator unit, in all forms, comprises a rod forming a stem or shaft, this being denoted/by the numeral I I. It isof small cross sectional dimensions to facilitate compactness and convenience in storage and use. The dasher head l2, which it carries, is of a sectional nature and is in effect a twin-style paddle. Particularly, it is made up of a pair of duplicate L-shaped companion blades. The blade'aare of flat sheet metal and each includes an elongated attaching shank i3 having alaterally disposed mixing element ll. The parts l3 and I4 coact in defining a substantially L-shaped member'and it will observed, that the portion H has its laterally directed terminal rounded in edge configuration, to promote effective stirring.

The shank portions 13 are attached by a connecting and pivot bolt l5 and thumb nut l6 to the carrier end of the shaft, In practice the shaft may be rotated by suitable'power. Asa general rule, it is manually operated and in accomplishing this I provide a simple hand crank I'I provided on its outer endwith a suitable knob l8 and having a sleeve l9 at its inner end adjustably held on the rod or shaft by a set screw 20.

Referring now to the triple adapter means disclosed in Figure '6 it will be observed that ii designatesa conventional paint can such as is used for retailing prepared paints. This is provided withthe customary annular lip 22 to accommodate the telescoping retention annulus 23 on the disk-like lid or cover 24. place, a nail or punch is driven centrally therethrough to provide an opening for the shaft ll. Then on diametrically opposite sides of this addition'al holes. are punctured to accommodate attaching screws llwhich serve to hold in place the U-shaped adapter bracket or fixture II. The bight portion of this. is apertured and its aperture is aligned with that in the can top so that the parts properly coordinate'to facilitate rotation and to allow vertical adjustment. In this arrangement the bight portion also functions as a rest for the sleeve I! and thus the parts cooperate in providing a suitable rotary hearing assembly. It is evident that the bracket is placed in position first after which the can top 24 is removed. Then with the hand crank detached from the shaft l I the latter part is shoved through the opening in the can top and the guide opening and the bracket 26. By replacing the sleeve I9 the assembly is set and ready to use in stirrin the contents of the can.

It is also evident that the L-shaped blades I2 are disposed in overlapping relationship or may be spread apart and arranged in diflerent positions depending on the density of the liquid to be stirred. For instance, with the blades as illustratedin Figure 8 the shank portions are disposed in diverging relation which provides a boring down and in action, assuring effective agitation of paint which may be thick at the bottom of the can. It is also evident that these blades may be arranged in diametrically opposite relation with the shank portions in longitudinal alignment. In fact, one will learn from experience just how best to adjust the blades according to the job in hand.

It'has been said that the device may be used in connection with spray-gun Jars and relatively small containers. Reference being had to Figme 9 it will be noted that the glass jar 21 is provided with the usual screw-threaded neck 28 to accommodate a screw cap or similar closure. The stirrer-may be. used with or without the cap.

In the drawings, the cap is shown'removed and is removably the special adapter flxture 2| clamped in place. This particular flxture is in .the nature of a longitudinally elongated truss or metal strap II. As seen inFigure 10, the strap is provided with longitudinally elongated slots II to accommodate and permit application and adjustment of the retention clips or clamps 32. Each clip is in the form of a small plate u havinga wedge shaped tongue 34 at one end and a curved edge law or detent at the opposite end. The clip is provided with a screw threaded stud II to accommodate a binding nut or thumb grip II. The jaws II serve for gripping the outer peripheral portion of the threaded neck 28. when the clamping action is to be made from the interior of the container the retaining clamps II are moved or adjusted toward each other and the especial retaining tongues 34 may be utilized. These tongues may be engaged with the rim of a can or the like somewhat in the manner shown inl 'igurelofthedrawings.

Coming now to the style of adapter disclosed in Figures 1 to 3.inclusive, it will. be observed here that the parts as a unitary assembly, is distinguished by the numeral 38. 'Now whereas the adapter unit 20 in Figure 9 is provided with a laterally bent apertured tongue or ear I! to accommodate the shaft, an equivalent guide and hearing is provided in the adapter fixture 3|. The

With the cover in guide is here in the form of a tubular bearing 39 held in place by washers 40 and 4|, there being a bushing 42 (see Figure 5) to provide for stabilized rotation of the shaft. This multiple part guide is suitably supported between a pair of spaced parallel angle irons 43. These are duplicates and rest on the ledge or lip of the can 44 in the manner shown. As brought out to advantage in Figures 2 and 3, thevertical flanges of the respective angle irons are bolted together as indicated at 45, there being spacing sleeves 48 surrounding the bolts and interposed between the flanges to facilitate assembly and maintenance of parts. The two clamping units in this arrangement are similar in many respects to the clamping devices 32 seen in Figure 9. In this arrangement, the clamping devices are distinguished by the numerals 41. As shown to advantage in Figure 4, the clip 48 has its end portions 49 and 50 suitably shaped to provide detents or retention elements engagea'ole either with the interior or exterior of the can. Also the clip is here provided with a socket 5| to accommodate the headed ends of the studs or bolts 52, said bolt being provided with a thumb nut 53 and associated washer 54. The function of the part Si is that of a key, since it fits between the vetical flanges of the angle irons and prevents rotation of the clip. Thus, the two devices 41 can be slid in either direction, reversed or detached. It is perhaps correct to refer to this unit as in the nature of a truss-style adapter fixture. Thus, we have seen the common structural characteristics between the various adapter devices utilized to take care of the average job for which the invention was devised.

In reducing to practlce the invention as herein shown and described, it is believed that I have evolved and produced a comparatively simple and economical appliance. The adjustability of parts renders the structure of a versatile character, and it will doubtless be found aptly fltted for the purposes intended.

The nature of the invention is such as to support the belief that the method of use and features and advantages should be evident without requiring a further summation.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore.'amore lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, and a component part of an assemblage of the class described, an agitator unit comprising a supporting and rotating shaft and a pair of duplicate agitator blades detachably and adiustably mounted 'on said shaft, each blade flat with its portions shaft, and a pair of duplicate companion L- shaped agitator blades detachably and pivotally mounted on the inner end of said shaft, said blades being substantially flat in cross sectional dimension, the short limbs thereof terminating in laterally directed curved edge tips.

3. As a component part of an assemblage of the class described, a rotary paint mixer unit adapted for removable insertion in a paint can or the like and comprising a longitudinally elongated rod constituting an attaching and rotating shaft,

a pair of duplicate companion L-shaped agitator blades detachably' and pivotally mounted on the shaft at one end thereof, said blades being adapted for hand adjustment prior to insertion in the can, and being substantially flat in crosssectional form, the long shank portions being attached to the shaft and adapted for disposition in overlapping relationship, the short'free' end limb portions thereof being' directed laterally with respect to the shank portions and terminating in rounded edge stirring tips, and a hand crank detachably and adjustably connected to said shaft. 

